Disabled Sports USA

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For people with MS, symptoms such as fatigue, iffy balance, weakness, and muscle spasticity can make traditional bike riding seem difficult or impossible. There are a variety of adaptations now available, so that someone who wants to ride, might just find wheels that will work.

The most popular types of accessible bikes are:

Recumbent bicycles

Recumbent bicycles are comfortable, easy to ride and are popular among people with and without disabilities. If you’ve never seen one, imagine a sort of stretched-out tricycle with a seatback like you’ll find in a director’s chair. You sit all the way back into the seat, with your legs outstretched, cranking the pedals. The handlebars are standard handlebars, but are easily graspable from a relaxed, sitting-back position. Recumbents.com includes general information and links to other recumbent-related Web sites.

E-bikes

At Cycle Electric International Consulting Group’s “Electric Bikes,” you’ll find an overview of the electric bike, including everything from power-driven two-wheelers to “personal activity vehicles.” These are elaborate tricycles that include not only a motor, so you can rest your legs in between pedaling, but a high back seat and optional fold-down armrests, so you can relax the rest of your body as well. There are numerous e-bike manufacturers and dealers so compare features and prices.

Handcycles

Visit bike-on.com for a quick, thorough overview of new and used handcycles, including descriptions and photographs. Varna Innovation & Research Corporation makes, among other things, a “hybrid tandem handcycle.” (In English, a two-person bike with a leg-powered two-wheeler for the front rider and a hand- cranked three-wheeler for the person in the rear.). Additional resources can be found at the United States Handcycling Federation.

You can also ask your physical therapist about adaptive equipment to transform standard and alternative bikes. Backrests with padded straps, leg and shoulder harnesses, even hip pads, provide added support and can help the cyclist maintain balance. Footrests with leg guides help position and retain foot placement on pedals.